What’s the exact difference between being “charged,” “convicted” and “sentenced” for a crime?

Today, former Oakland, California, transit police officer Johannes Mehserle received the minimum possible sentence in the controversial death of a teenager on January 1, 2009. The incident and subsequent trial have prompted outrage and violent protests. Today’s decision brings attention to the legal meanings of three verbs : “charge,” “convict,” and “sentence.” They appear in the news constantly, but do you know what each term actually describes?

Let’s begin with “charge.” When a person is charged with a crime, a formal allegation (a statement not yet proven) of an offense is made.

Once convicted, the person has been proven or declared guilty of the offense. In the United States, a person is convicted after a legal trial.

After a conviction in criminal (as opposed to civil) proceedings, sentencing is next. When sentenced, the convicted criminal is issued a formal judgment that usually pronounces the punishment. The convict can appeal the sentence, but a sentence usually takes effect while appeals occur.